Story by Edwin Kiplagat
• 9h •
- Portugal won the UEFA Nations League for the second time and earned more than a billion shillings in prize money
- Cristiano Ronaldo’s side defeated Spain, the 2023 winners, on penalties following a 2-2 draw in extra time
- Portugal have now emerged as one of the favourites to win the 2026 World Cup alongside Spain and France
Portugal beat Spain on penalties to win the 2025 UEFA Nations League and will pocket a prize money for their effort.
Cristiano Ronaldo has won three major trophies with Portugal. Photo by Marcel Engelbrecht – firo sportphoto. Source: Getty Images
UEFA Nations League prize money
Portugal and Spain played an entertaining 2-2 draw in regular and extra time in the 2025 UEFA Nations League final at the Allianz Arena.
Cristiano Ronaldo was on the scoresheet, but the winner had to be decided via penalties. Ruben Neves scored the winning penalty after Diogo Costa saved Alvaro Morata’s spot kick.
It was a statement win for Portugal, who are seen as one of the favourites to win the 2026 World Cup. Moreover, they took down European champions and World Cup favourites.
Roberto Martinez’s side received nearly £7 million (KSh 1.2 billion) in prize money, while Spain pocketed £5.6 million (KSh 975 million), per Give Me Sport.
Spain earned €8 million (KSh 1.1 billion) for winning Euro 2024. The winner in the tournament can pocket a maximum of €28 million (KSh 4 billion).
How Portugal won UEFA Nations League
Portugal lifted the inaugural UEFA Nations League in 2019 and are the first team to win it for the second time. France and Spain won the 2021 and 2023 editions.
Portugal’s only defeat on their way to the title was to Denmark away from home. They beat Croatia, Poland, and Scotland in the group stage before defeating Germany in the semi-final.
Cristiano Ronaldo was on the scoresheet in the UEFA Nations League final. Photo by Lars Baron. Source: Getty Images
It was also a major win for Cristiano Ronaldo, who had fallen short painfully at the 2022 World Cup and Euro 2024.
“Special. It brings [me] great joy,” Ronaldo said after the win over Spain via UEFA. “Winning with the national team is always something very special, especially in front of our fans, our country, our family and our children.
“Before the game, at the hotel, I said this generation deserved a major trophy and we were successful. We played against two great teams, but we showed that we are a young and very competitive team, and can play well against any team.”
When will next UEFA Nations League start?
The draw for the 2026/27 UEFA Nations League tournament will take place in early next year. The league phase takes place in September, October and November 2026.
The quarter-finals will take place in March 2027, while the playoffs will take place in March 2028, and the finals will take place in June 2028.
How much did Chelsea make in Conference League?
Earlier, TUKO.co.ke reported on Chelsea’s earnings from the UEFA Conference League.
The Blues made a total of £15 million (approximately KSh 2.6 billion), including bonuses from wins and draws in the league phase.
They pocketed just a prize money of £5.860 million (approximately KSh 1 billion) just for winning the trophy.
MSN